It's hard to believe that this list needed to be made. New York is, after all, the birthplace of Hip-Hop--and we're not just talking about the art of rhyming. It's the ten million-person-plus metropolis that birthed the entire culture that we hold dear.

But the city's fallen on hard times identifying its next great voice. One of its signature artistic creations is now the world's, and it'd be a shame to not see New York hold a prominent place in Hip-Hop's current milieu. We compiled ten acts that could--and probably will--bring the Big Apple back, and it's a sign of the globalized times that each one of these acts has its own unique sound.

Agree, disagree or politely agree to disagree, let us know what you think about NYC's current crop of wordsmiths in the comment section.

Action Bronson

Rappers have waxed poetic about food before, but never like Flushing, Queens’s Action Bronson. Bronselinho’s dopeness comes from deep inside the belly of his fastidiously crafted bars about poutine, lamb rack and robiola, among other things. Sure he sounds nearly identical to another legendary New York MC, but it’s Dr. Lector’s unique ability to blend his culinary background (he used to be a chef) into his work that’ll help him bring New York back. The Big Apple is the gastronomic capitol of the world, after all.

Mr. Muthaf*ckin eXquire

If there were a perfect adjective to describe Crown Heights’s Mr. Muthaf*ckin eXquire, it’d be “grimy.” Unlike other uses for “grimy,” this isn’t a slanderous smack against eXquire. Nah: eXquire is New York’s “grimy” MC, a rhymer who spits syllables about skin-crawling realities in the most distinctive personae possible. Late Wu-Tang member Ol’ Dirty Bastard originated the moniker, so it’s only right that eXquire pick it up to help bring New York back. A record deal with Universal and zero-f*ks-given name don’t hurt, either.

A$AP Rocky & A$AP Mob

The self-proclaimed “prettiest motherf*ckers” are also New York’s best asset in thrusting the five boroughs back into Hip-Hop’s national spotlight. Lead by syrup-sipping mob leader Rocky and the infectious knock of his debut, Live.Love.A$AP, the crew posses a bright future. They rap (Rocky, Twelvy, Nast and Ferg), produce (Ty Beats) and design (former stylist Dominic Lord). There’s nothing they don’t do, and no audience they can’t touch—Rocky did take his act on the road with Drake last year. Their omnipotence and omnipresence ensures they’ll bring New York back, regional identity crisis be damned.

Smoke DZA

Harlem’s Cannabis Connoisseur. The Kushed God. George Kush. Smoke DZA goes by many names, but he loves one thing almost as much as his hometown: a nice fat marijuana cigarette. And boy does he enjoy penning sweet, sweet couplets about his girl Mary Jane over production as varied as Ski Beatz and Harry Fraud. He’s not the most introspective rhymer but he’s more than capable of helping bring New York Hip-Hop back.

Joey Bada$$

Hip-Hop fans can’t properly quantify the amount of hype Joey Bada$$ has received over the past several months. It’s impossible. However, that’s a good thing because listeners are slowly starting to revel in the nostalgic boom-bap raps of Joey’s output. His 1999 project ushered him and his Progressive Era crew into the critical sphere, even garnering an outstanding 8.0 rating on Pitchfork. With a flow and presence like so many luminaries of New York’s yesteryear, Joey will bring New York back, winning over old and new heads alike.

Azealia Banks

Excuse the comparison, but jilted Nicki Minaj fans might see Azealia Banks’ name and scoff. That’s fine—the sure-thing crossover appeal of Nicki is present in Banks. However, Azealia can spit, even if her aesthetic channels Santigold more than any street-wise NYC Fem-cee of the past decade. Again, that’s fine. She has a heralded, dance-ready EP in 1991, which more than endeared her to a few critics and fans. If New York Hip-Hop’s to rebound, it should seek Banks’ assistance in spreading the good word to both Missy Cheerleader in Des Moines, Iowa, and Franky Too Cool in Bushwick.

Flatbush Zombies

Zombies in 2012 prefer bath salts, but the Flatbush variety prefer psychedelics when conjuring the stoner-ific ambiance of Meechy Darko and Zombie Juices’ tunes. Buoyed by their viral video “Thug Waffles,” these two Brooklynites have been on a tear recently, appearing on compilations with the A$AP Mob and generating major label tidal waves. Vice dedicated one thousand words to the group, even if they had yet to create a complete project at the time. Sh*t’s really weird in 2012, but that’s these guys’ catalyst in contributing to a potential New York renaissance.

The Kid Daytona

The Bronx’s The Kid Daytona has “it.” What “it” consists of is a calm but confident nasally stream-of-consciousness flow that perfectly befits the sample-heavy beats he typically appears on. His Interlude project flew under the radar of a number of listeners, but his recent Summer Games tape should open a few more doors, as should his planned project with the Gym Class Heroes’ Travie McCoy. He’s from the borough that birthed Hip-Hop, and that certainly parlays into that “it” factor, two necessary biographical details that will factor into his helping bring New York back.

T.Shirt

When fans - whether they lived the "Golden Era" or learned of its legacy as a generation or two removed - think of a New York sound, it's typically composed of rhymes filled with brash arrogance over aggressive production made for neck-snapping, not nodding. T.Shirt's a guy who paid attention while studying in the school of hard knocks, picking up the gritty vibe and bringing it to the new era with his updated approach. With unmatched confidence, a sharp tongue and mind, Shirt reps the tradition of Queens lyricists well.

Troy Ave

The trap’s migrated north. Then again, it’s probably always been in any major metropolis, New York’s being no different. Troy Ave. just capitalized on Atlanta’s signature sound by putting a New Yorker’s perspective behind the trapping. He can unite gritty Big Apple residents and anyone else who pounds the aesthetic for breakfast, lunch and dinner. His Bricks In My Backpack trilogy speak to an ascendant street rhymer that makes no concessions about his past life. He’s about the trap, and that will help him greatly in helping bring New York back.

Join The Discussion

I’ve heard of a little over half of them, but the reason NY won’t come back is because unlike ATL there is little to no unity. Think back to when ATL was killing it as a region. Ursher, Lil Jon and Luda collabed on tracks and a rumored album. Jeezy, TIP and Scrappy popped up on tracks, even R&B cats like 112 and Ciara utilized Young Joc and Young Dro and all the other locals etc. NY aggins are too cocky to “rely” on others for appearances and thus prominence through strength in numbers.

Ha! I love how you only even list two Chicago artists. Did you know a third would have made your point even worse? Keef is of the Soulja Boy, Waka, Gucci variety. He may have longevity, he may not, but he’ll never be the future of rap.

Whoa – I don’t think you should be puttin Waka and Gucci in with Soulja. That trap sound has a massive influence on rap. There’s no way Lex Luger is where he is now, without Waka and Gucci. They’ve also just gotten better at their craft. I’d argue they’re both highly underrated by “the heads.”

I’ve been playing it for a while. Never really felt like writing about it though. In parts, it’s pretty standard but there’s hints that they’ll grow and become a strong act. Would rather wait until then.

Let me get this one out the way cause I know somebody’s gonna come in and say this:

Maaaaaaannnnn!!!!!!!!!!!! All these people that you listed SUCK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I mean they aiight n-s**t, but as far as a rapper who is gonna bring NY Ciggdy back… C’MON, SON!!! A list about someone who will bring NY back and ya’ll ain’t mention MONTANA!? This list iz obsolete!!! EFF! OWE! AYCHE!

Azealia Bank’s mixtape has been on constant replay so I’m most excited for her. She has the most potential out of all the mentions to blow the fuck up and I believe she will. She’s got crossover appeal without compromising her style, I’m your typical ‘rappity rapping your ass off hip-hop fan’ but she’s the first artist so far who has tracks singing throughout with only 10 seconds of rapping and I’m still hitting rewind.

This is no knock against TSS, but there’s a new story every year that lists 5-10 rappers who are going to bring New York City back. But it never, ever happens.

Gotty is absolutely right – coasts aren’t relevant in rap anymore. It’s all about crews. G.O.O.D., Maybach Music, Young Money, etc. all have acts from around the country and around the world. Trends are based in terms of sounds and crews more than regions these days.

As far as commercial success, my fav’s on this list probably wont be raking in the numbers or cash. But as far as creativity and giving NY’s hip hop scene a breath of fresh air? Yes.. and im damn fine with that. Joey Bada$$ and Flatbush Zombies take me back to a time when you would be excited to hear what the next track- hell, the next line would be. Salute.

Oh, and another way to put my previous comment: some of these names are doing their thing, but will any of their success actually make people think, “Damn, let me check out who’s popping in NYC”? During previous regional dominance, you’d actually think, “Damn, Jeezy, T.I., OutKast, and Gucci are all popping right now, the South runs it!” Same when Dre, Snoop, and Pac were killing it in Calif., and when Jay-Z, DMX, etc. were killing it in NYC.

When you see these NYC acts, do you really think of them as NYC acts, or do they just happen to be from/in NYC? Do you see these musicians’ material spearheading a cultural/regional shift to NYC, or just being exceptions to the rule of NYC not being hot anymore?

Exactly. The internet crushed region borders. I see these young boys on blogs and unless they are screaming out their city I have no idea where they are from. (Most of them) dress the same and rap about the same shit.

If your still waiting for a new “New York” sound you are an OLD HEAD. 93,94 was almost 20 years ago. Let it go.

I never hear west coast niggas talking about how the G-Funk era needs to return.

But yeah Bronson is doing his thing, what he tweets is a whole ‘nother thing. Pretty sure him and Dza are the only ones that have collaborated more than once together, which is the biggest problem with NY rap: the vets don’t imbrace the young up and comers.

other than the food thing that ryan seemed to only focus on i think that’s it’s been a long time since hip hop have seen such an original character. he’s not marketing himself as anything but himself. also, his vivid ass lyrics is entertaining as fuuucc.

What the fuck is “back” nowadays anyway?
I don’t think anyway cares that much where people are from anymore. I’m from Brooklyn, and I definitely root for these guys, but as far as I’m concerned, New York is already “here” just as much as any other city.
Everybody works with everybody – these guys all work together in NY, as well as west coast guys, like TDE. Tyler and Pusha, etc. Rappers represent their city, but I think they just make music with the guys makin music that they like and respect, regardless of region.
Yes, NYC is killin it right now, but so is LA and Chicago, etc.. It’s more like, damn, this young generation is killin it right now!

List is pretty much perfect. And I usually hate “bring New York back” discussions (I’m from BK) Big fan of the Zombies and ABanks (and almost everyone else on here). NYC loves Rocky regardless of the silly “HE DOESNT RAP LIKE HE’S FROM HERE!!!” foolishness (even though internet rap Jesus Jay Electronica intentionally modeled himself after NYC rappers)

I can say I personally only like about five of the artists from this list, so there’s that.

Of the ten, I’m only actively regularly checking for new stuff from Pro Era and Daytona.

I think the problem with lists like these is this: look at who’s cosigning some of these artists right now. Since when did Pitchfork, Spin, Vice, et al become the voice of hip-hop?

I also feel that we blogging types get a little too excited and overestimate our significance and our influence. Yes, looking at the blogs can be a pretty good indicator of who’s gonna blow up, but it can also be a pretty good one for who’s gonna completely vanish after a year or so of overachieving expectations.

The general listening public does not know who any of these artists are. That’s an anecdotal, unscientific observation, but I have found and expect it to be true. Most people are not running to their computers every day to see what new EP or mixtape just dropped for free. It will be extremely difficult to take NY anywhere if no one knows who you are outside the RTB/Paid Dues crowd.

Since when did Pitchfork, Spin, Vice, et al become the voice of hip-hop?
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I’d argue that Hip Hop is the most dominant form of popular music right now – I mean WTT? There are no two artists from any genre that could generate that type of excitement for a joint album. Of course that group of magazines is gonna start critiquing Hip Hop seriously. I don’t give a fuck who writing the words or for what magazine, if I agree with em, I agree with em, and it turns out, most of the time I agree with them

“I think the problem with lists like these is this: look at who’s cosigning some of these artists right now. Since when did Pitchfork, Spin, Vice, et al become the voice of hip-hop?”

I think they are more like a MTV rather than the voice of hip-hop. They are the gate keepers into the audience of music lovers who enjoy rap, but don’t listen to it as their primary genre of music. And unfortunately those types of fans spend more $ on music than hip-hop fans, so you see the artists pushed through those sites rise to success much quicker than MC’s pushed primarily by TSS or other sites.

“I also feel that we blogging types get a little too excited and overestimate our significance and our influence.” “The general listening public does not know who any of these artists are.”

This argument has been made for years, and while it still remains true, it is becoming less and less so as time goes by. More and more people every year are getting signed and/or selling out shows based strictly off internet love. I think the blogs will be kind of like Myspace,Facebook and Twitter. The streets were well behind the affluent/nerdy crowd in terms of being all on those sites, but once they found out about them, they became parts of their daily lives. I think it could eventually become the same for music sites.

Good point, Matt, but that dovetails with what I was saying. Yes, they get signed, yes, they get shows, but they have to keep putting stuff out or they lose all momentum instantly as soon as the next blog sensation comes along.

How many have we seen get signed in just the last year or so off of huge internet buzz, and then… Nothing. Not a peep, till the label drops them without doing any promo they couldn’t do for themselves.

I regularly have music conversations with both rap heads and civilians, and you might be surprised at how many of each don’t know about a lot of “hot” artists with big blog push.

And then there’s that whole hipster conundrum, where cats only like something because it’s new and underground, or different and quirky, and it just doesn’t translate impact-wise. A good two years of relevance, then the odd “whatever happened to…” Posts.

Very interesting Aaron. I agree with you in regards to the unrealistic and unhealthy need for artists to regularly flood the market with new music in order to stay relevant. Yet I’m not sure that that doesn’t also extend to artists signed to major labels these days as well.

In regards to no one knowing blog rappers, I had a interesting experience with that recently. A month or two ago I bought tickets to see Action Bronson in SF. I told all my friends and MC’s that I know (some pretty established out here) and 95% of the time the response I got was “who’s he?”. So my initial reaction was that Blog love doesn’t translate to the real world. Then I went to the show, and not only was it sold out on a Wed or Thur, but the audience knew every word to his songs. So I left feeling a lot better about the influence of blog presence, and it’s potential to spawn real careers.

At the same time I work with HS students in the Bay and none of them know about practically any of the blog rappers… And they’re the fans these MC’s need.

I’ve been places with the homies and watched them get BUMRUSHED by girls, dudes, old ladies, all kinds of people, like “OMIGODISOTOTALLYLOVEEVERYTHINGYOUEVERDOOREVERWILLOMIGOD!”
and just been blown away.

On the other hand, I can’t really name-drop any of my friends to the average person, because they won’t think it’s that big of a deal… ‘Cept Miguel. Long time coming for that one. LOL.

Once I was even asked after giving a “How to Rap” speech in class who my favorite rapper is. I said Phonte…. CRICKETS.

i DEF co-sign this im from new york and only artist i know off this list is asap rocky.reason i heard about asap rocky is cuz my boy from the block brought him up and i started to listen to his mixtapes.then he started getting co-sign by nyc heavy weights cuz asap would get features on lloyd banks and jadakiss mixtapes.nyc artist got hot in my era from word of mouth in the hood and off mixtapes”the 50 era”.in the 90’s we did not know who the best thing out based on blogs we talked about it on the block and who was hot on mixtapes dropped at the bootleg spot.the voice of hip hop is from what the street say not some computer blogs.gucci mane,young jeezy,t.i,early cash money/no limit all got co-sign from their hood not some computer blogs.

Nice post. I think Joey B.A. is the truth and Action is cool too. I really haven’t followed the others that well. How do you define success in bring NY back? I mean NY has some MCs as talented as those named in the past 5 years right? I think it really depends on these Funk Masters and other djs.

NYC won’t be “back” until it discovers its new sound. Hyping up the Joeys and the 90s revialvists is useless cuz they will always be underground rappers, with not national mainstream impact. Like it or not, the new sound of NYC is the ASAP Mob/French Montana/Max B sound. Gritty yet melodic, lots of Midwest and Southern influence. Boom Bap is dead. But mark my words, the East will be back sooner or later…..and watch out for Harlem.

Dope list. I personally like Joey BasA$$ & Action Bronson, they have a throwback boom bap sound NY is known for but its still evolved which is dope to me. The Kid Daytona & Dza are pretty tight too. What ever happened to Vado though? Either way NY looks pretty strong right now.

Just from the outside looking in it seems radio stations in NY aren’t even getting behind these up & coming artist like they use to. Not sure how much of it is industry “politics” or lack of interest on NY’s part. Either way it def hurts NY’s landscape in hip hop today imo.

I think what’s being missed in this whole “will New York ever come back” or “they are still here” is that up until recently… it was New York. Just New York. Sure other artists were big from all over the place but when you’d make a list of the hottest rappers out it’d be at least half New York rappers. So just because they have good rappers now, it’s not the end all be all like it used to be.

NY doesn’t need to be brought back. NY is a cultural capital – not just hip hop. I mean Ryan touched on it in the Bronson section about food. NY will stay winning. Like a number of other people said the cultural/regional lines in hip hop have been so blurred by the internet that it doesn’t matter. The one artist on this list who has the BIGGEST crossover potential, ASAP, has a sound that is hardly even east coast. But (and bear with me here I promise I’m going somewhere) artists will continue to show love to NY (except Wayne apparently). Artists will continue to go to NY for concerts, radio promo’s, etc. I live in Edmonton, Alberta (Canada for the geographically uneducated), which gets little to no love as far as concerts and shit are concerned. Nobody wants to come here for shows. Nobody shows my city any love. And most of the artists in my city are just bastardized versions of popular rappers. But artists continue to go to NY, which means that the youngsters who get to meet these guys in person, who get to see these guys perform, who get to see the dream realized, are going to be the next class. The next group of artists, from NY, who are going to make it on to a list like this. This is why NY stays winning. Because there is no shortage of history in the city, mixed with no shortage of new styles being brought in on the daily. The classic NY sound you think of, the one embodied by a dude like Shirt, is going to disappear eventually because of all the new influences. Which isn’t necessarily a bad thing; it’s just different. The Big Pun/Big L/Biggie/Run DMC/Nas NY hip hop a lot of us know and love isn’t going to comeback and take over, face it. Which is why a guy like Joey Badass is so entertaining for us. Because he reminds us of the golden days. Hip hop has too many (cranky) old heads who want to see skinny jeans burnt, retro Jordans banned (because they are crap compared to the OG’s), and everybody rap like Rakim not Gucci. If i’m in the whip getting stupid, Gucci gets play. illmatic is still one of the most played albums on my iTunes, and that doesn’t even count how many times it’s been played on my iPhone or on a CD…

I kind of feel better after letting all that out. I know it’s pretty long, read at your own risk lol.

As a native New Yorker and lover of Hip Hop, I must say if this is the best we have to offer then where headed for even more rough times. The thing that I find missing not only in NY, but all over is the lack of creativity. NY used to be the home of creativity where NO BITING was enforced. When and only when we can bring back creativity as far as upcoming MCs are concerned is when new generations of rappers will be relevant. I say this not to discredit any of the artists mentioned here, but overall very unimpressive.

This list is cool but a few of these cats can be replaced. If it were my choice I would’ve included Ka from Brownsville who has even caught the attention of 50 Cent. Roc Marciano who has been tearing sh*t up for some time now. David Stones who is the younger cousin of BCC’s Buckshot and overlooked by all the blogs to the point where it’s actually mind boggling. What about Joell Ortiz who is one of the most successful NY emcees out there right now? Does he not count in the contribution to bringin NY rap back? What about Children of the Night? They’re dope and have been receiving a lot of press…

only way a nyc artist can bring nyc back is a nyc heavy weight has to co-sign you.think about lil wayne when he tried to build up his career again he did tracks with fat joe and camron because everybody knows if nyc artist co-sign you u get respect as a artist

This list has some misses and a few are good. But there are several NYC artist that are making great music. It’s the Labels that choose not to recognize talent. Artist Like Roc Marciano, K. Sparks, Fred The Godson, and tons of others are lyrically leaps and miles above the rest. But it’s all about politics in the Hip Hop game. Time will tell…

Don’t sleep on Action Bronson. He’s one of my favorite dudes in the game. Something very endearing about his sound and attitude. Not trying to try him to Ghost. Sure he sounds like him. but there are alot of worse offenders out there than having a similar voice.
Like all these Lil B fucks.
Also bs like Kitty Pride, fuck outta here with that honky rap

…just had to respond after coming across this article. Rap already died awhile ago. Whatz out there now prepetrating as rap is a bunch of sucker mc’s, copy cats and sex starved boys. I haven’t heard real rap since the late nineties. Any good rap that may still come out as new in this day and time is from so-called old school rappers/groups. Yall fools are sleep but to give U the benefit of doubt, i am sure you probably R in your 20’s or younger. Anyone born after 1990 don’t know shiznik about rap. This new so-called rap is wick wick WACK. I even took the liberty to peep some of this new wack rap and it only confirmed my curiosity…rap is dead. 1

PS. If rap is ever resurrected it will only come from its original destination point…NYC